November Football: sponsored by Saudi 2034

[niko_cee]

Not sure Spurs or Southend are the sensible mental health choices either matey.

[Spikey M]

I am lucky to only have a passing interest in Spurs. Much like I do with the England Rugby team or basically any British Athlete at an Olymipic Games. As such their regular shambles don't really bother me too much.

And life as a lower league fan is relatively peaceful as you expect so little in the first place.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There was probably a four-hour period where I was 100% all in on a UEFA/Nike conspiracy after we lost to Barcelona in the Ovrebo match. That experience alone was enough for me now to consider basically any time a fanbase decides that there's an agenda against them is absolute piffle. It's so tiring, you end up looking and feeling like those nine men on the gammon meme.

[Lofty]

There's no conspiracy, the refereeing is just wank. Surely the point of VAR is the footage is reviewed and the rules applied as per the rulebook? The problem is they've admitted their bias like Mike Dean saying 'not giving the ref that decision to make he's a good lad and the crowd will hammer him' or whatever his excuse was. You don't even need a 'proper football man' in the hotseat for that, get some boring rich tea biscuit personality rules lawyers in.

[Spikey M]

I think TTH solved the crux of the problem within the first season of it being rolled out. It's a sport of grey areas. That's why the handball rule needs changing every year. There will always be bad luck and disagreement. Trying to absolutely nail every decision is impossible even of both the tech and the people were perfect.

Keep the goal line tech. Bin the rest.

[niko_cee]

I've just realised the lottery for tickets for the Euros has already been and gone.

What?

[Baz]

Was a daft system anyway, where you had to buy every one that you were assigned.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, but you never get any. Not that racking up a potential 30k ticket liability wasn't a bit daunting.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Like a lot of things in modern life, it probably makes complete sense overall / in terms of ultimate logic, but presents a serious quandary for the individual. I was applying for Open tickets at wherever the fuck it is next year (Troon) and didn't know if I had to risk my entire net worth on going for tickets every day to have a chance of getting any. As it turned out I went for the megaload and then got tickets for Saturday only, so now am faced with the choice of whether to hotfoot it to Ayrshire to watch Alex Noren shoot 74, or sack the thing off and put them on the snide market.

[Waffdon]

Yeah, but you never get any. Not that racking up a potential 30k ticket liability wasn't a bit daunting.

The fans who go home and away should be able to get tickets through the Football Associations. Well, not everyone like, but an extra few thousand.

[John Arne]

VAR isn't going anywhere. Imagine, Premier League announces no VAR next matchday. Arsenal go on to lose due to an obvious offside and Newcastle lose despite a clear handball in the box. Immediately the cries will be 'we have the technology, we need to use it'. Here to stay, unfortunately.

[Don]

Luis Diaz brace to beat Brazil and Darwin beating Argies, we really are fucking massive. Also, that Argie defeat may have handed Iran the title of longest active winning streak in international football which would be lol given we are very shit.

[Don]

Scenes.

1725399260827468162

1725356560564506727

[niko_cee]

That Brazilian rightback looked pretty hopeless.

Two headers as well. :cab:

[phonics]

10 points for Everton.

[Luke Emia]

10 points for Everton.

Not enough. Useless cunts will get out of that.

Edit maybe it will be enough they are going at 1.16 points per game and they have had a fairly gentle start over the season would give them 44 points take 10 off and that's 34 could one of the other useless teams get 34 points?

[Kikó]

Chelsea and city next please.

[Waffdon]

bring on the Championship.

[Gray Fox]

The Ev will be fine. City however, want punting from the league.

[Waffdon]

They’ve set a precedent now so surely they’ll get a fairly mental punishment (and not monetary)

I think Chelsea will get similar to Everton if not less as they were the ones who informed UEFA and the PL to some dodgy accounts from the previous regime.

[Luke Emia]

So genuinely what do they do with City then? Minus 70 points and see if they stay up.

[Don]

10 pts ain't getting them relegated for shit, they're 10th on xPTS ffs.

[Waffdon]

10 point deduction for being £19m over is mental. I assumed they’d properly took the piss.

Presume they’ll get a lesser punishment after appeal

[Ben]

Doesn't even put them bottom. Only 2 points from safety. The three promoted sides are utter shite.

[phonics]

10 points per charge eh?

Think even Pep would struggle to stay up with a 1150 point deficit.

[niko_cee]

So genuinely what do they do with City then? Minus 70 points and see if they stay up.

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

These sorts of penalties are also of absolutely no use. Everton broke the rules or whatever and probably stayed up by the skin of their teeth more than once, possibly because of those rule breaches. What do the teams that went down get out of this? It's obviously almost impossible to go back and sort it out, so perhaps the present day sanction should be much higher [ie relegation/demotion].

[Luke Emia]

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

These sorts of penalties are also of absolutely no use. Everton broke the rules or whatever and probably stayed up by the skin of their teeth more than once, possibly because of those rule breaches. What do the teams that went down get out of this? It's obviously almost impossible to go back and sort it out, so perhaps the present day sanction should be much higher [ie relegation/demotion].

I think from a Liverpool viewpoint don't these charges for City cover 2 potential title wins? Plus two for United as well? The point has been and gone in terms of I wouldn't as a fan want to be handed a title but for me the bigger issue is that not only have they cheated but people talk about them now as if that cheating is almost separate. Which it isn't because they would never have gotten to where they are now without the cheating. I saw City released their accounts the other day and generated record income. Who believes that when 4 of their biggest 10 sponsors are from the state that owns them and one is a crypto company?

Newcastle are now using this playbook as well, the authorities can't do anything about it and in the end City will basically lawyer the FA/Premier League to a point whereby they don't get punished.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

10 pts ain't getting them relegated for shit, they're 10th on xPTS ffs.

If only xPTS actually meant anything at the end of the year.

[Gray Fox]

It's nothing compared to the true way of separating teams, the Bravery Table. Spurs currently top.

[Don]

If only xPTS actually meant anything at the end of the year.

Brother it's always good to be able to rely on cold hard statistical evidence to back up very straightforward predictions like why we can safely say Egghead will be spending Xmas in some primitive village in Netherlands and nowhere near EPL; why Chelsea will be playing CL football next season and why Spurs will do well to finish within single digit points off the top 5.

[SvN]

Brother it's always good to be able to rely on cold hard statistical evidence to back up very straightforward predictions like why we can safely say Egghead will be spending Xmas in some primitive village in Netherlands and nowhere near EPL; why Chelsea will be playing CL football next season and why Spurs will do well to finish within single digit points off the top 5.

This forum post appears to be a sports-related discussion, likely focusing on football (soccer), particularly the English Premier League (EPL). Let's break down the key elements:

"Egghead will be spending Xmas in some primitive village in Netherlands and nowhere near EPL": Given the context of the English Premier League (EPL) and the mention of "Egghead," it is likely that "Egghead" is a nickname being used to refer to Erik ten Hag, who is a football manager. Erik ten Hag has been associated with teams in both the Netherlands and the EPL. The post seems to be making a prediction or expressing an opinion about Erik ten Hag's professional situation around Christmas, suggesting that he might be in the Netherlands and not actively involved in the EPL at that time.

"why we can safely say": This phrase indicates that the author believes they have strong, probably statistical, evidence to support their predictions or views.

"cold hard statistical evidence": The use of statistics is common in sports discussions, especially in football, where fans and analysts often use data to support their arguments about team performances, player abilities, and likely outcomes of matches and leagues.

"why Chelsea will be playing CL football next season": This is a prediction that Chelsea, a well-known football club in the EPL, will qualify for the Champions League (CL) next season. Qualification for the CL is usually based on a team's performance in their domestic league, so this implies that the author expects Chelsea to finish in a high position in the EPL.

"why Spurs will do well to finish within single digit points off the top 5": This statement suggests a prediction that Tottenham Hotspur (often referred to as Spurs), another prominent EPL club, will struggle to be competitive in the league. Finishing within single-digit points of the top 5 would imply they are not far behind but still not in the top 5 teams.

Overall, this post is typical of sports forums where fans and enthusiasts share opinions, predictions, and analyses, often using a mix of data, personal insights, and sometimes humorous or sarcastic commentary.

[Don]

Is it not "off the top"? Was about to call it a spastic robot but it may have casually educated me here. Fuck me, I need to buy some Microsoft shares.

[niko_cee]

I don't really know how Gareth Southgate Badger is lining them up for this, but if he wants 'Trent' as a midfielder wouldn't it make more sense to try and get him acclimated as one of the deep lying shitkickers rather than as some sort of Bellingham lite?

lol, nice finish.

[Gray Fox]

I think the theory is he's not that great at the defence bit of football, so he either would have to be next to a shitkicker or more likely in an advanced role.

[Shindig]

If he could tackle, he'd still be playing full back.

[Manc]

Malta looking the more dangerous side. Incredible.

[niko_cee]

I think the theory is he's not that great at the defence bit of football, so he either would have to be next to a shitkicker or more likely in an advanced role.

Yeah, but in a Bellingham as the 10 system, which is presumably what England are going to be going with, you play him next to Rice, rather than Henderson, Gallagher or Phillips, if you want to play him. He is still predominately a defensive player. There is no 4-4-2 to stick him in the original Beckham role.


If he could tackle, he'd still be playing full back.

He does still play rightback and is still England's best player in that position if you want to play tournament winning football.

[niko_cee]

Seeing as he isn't even trusted with set pieces, why is Southgate even bothering with this whole charade?

[niko_cee]

This ref is an absolute legend. Kane special.

Kick the ball, kick the 'keeper and fall over. Fuck off.

[Manc]

I'd be handing in my resignation if I was Southgate.

[niko_cee]

Probably best not to play a rightback as one of your few, precious attacking players. England are negative enough as it is. The point of defensive players who add in attack is that they add to the other, good attacking players, it's not the same as being the attacking player backed up by 6 feckless defenders behind you.

[Ian]

This Cole, Defoe, Lescott pundit line-up is so insightful I'm not sure I'll ever see football the same way again henceforth.

[niko_cee]

:D

I quite liked Lescott squirming when having to at least not criticize Our Lord and Saviour Harold Kane.

[niko_cee]

Dion's really letting himself down tonight.

[Yevrah]

I wasn't expecting much tonight, but fuck me.

[Yevrah]

Much more like it. Lovely couple of goals those.

[niko_cee]

Was that disallowed for it brushing Kane? Surely it can't have been for obstructing the 'keeper. Or does his presence, and thus ability to deflect it if he didn't, count as interfering with play?

[Ian]

:D

I quite liked Lescott squirming when having to at least not criticize Our Lord and Saviour Harold Kane.

Pathetic wasn't it.

I'm sure it's total coincidence but on a previous broadcast they were discussing the "should 'Hendo' be in the team?' thing and while Joe Cole was wringing his hands and talking about "experience, erm, leadership, world class, erm, Hendo, top bloke, yeah" they then went to Jill Scott who (I'm paraphrasing) basically went "Lol, obviously not" and look at the safe pairs of hands they've got in this time.

No dissent, just a good bunch of lads all agreeing that, in fact, the Malta goalie should be done for GBH for what he done to our Harry.

The Channel 4 coverage is probably as bad as BT, and I don't level that accusation lightly.

[Manc]

Pathetic.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Tony Drago crying into his vodka tonight. Take that you old cunt.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Long term readers will know I'm a huge Henry Winter guy but it has to be re-emphasised just how well the man executes his craft. Tweet after tweet, year after year, the quality just never drops.

1725653160142733717

Just 10/10 perfection every time.

[Shindig]

"He wasn't on the pitch but he was my man of the match."

Anyway, saw some of the highlights and it's .... I dunno, comfortable. We've been at that level for years where qualifying is stroll and there's only one pair of games they have to wise up for. It would be nice to smash the minnows for 9 but it seems like only the youth squads have the motivation to do that. We did put 7 past North Macedonia, I suppose.

[Bam]

Fucking Everton. :roflol:

Shitty and Chavski next. :D

[Gray Fox]

Just the 13-0 to France so far in this game that could still go any way.

[Ben]

Finished 14. That's a record. Think the old one might have been Germany 13-0 San Marino.

[Manc]

Quite looking forward to the Euros. Romania & Turkey back in the big time.

[Don]

Zionists better not qualify. Or do we want them to qualify and be utterly shunned by the masses?

[Waffdon]

Quite looking forward to the Euros. Romania & Turkey back in the big time.

there’s my hipster back at it again

[Manc]

Luxembourg is the true hipster choice.

[Adramelch]

And they're in with a decent chance in the playoffs to be honest. Their first tie will be against Greece, and while it's the best we've been in the last decade or so, we're still there for the taking. Kazakhstan or Georgia would be the final obstacle. Very doable especially given how they've been playing this campaign.

[Lofty]

Fucking Everton. :roflol:

Shitty and Chavski next. :D

Honestly if I was them I'd want any deduction done this season, they could dock them both 50 points and they'd still not get relegated this season with the level of dross down there.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Nice to see Wales have ballsed it up. Now just need Scotland in a really tough draw and we're sorted.

[Waffdon]

Weirdly, could do with Norway turning up tonight. Or at least only losing 1-0 or 2–1 against Scotland. We’re better off in Pot 3 which is a bit mental but there you go.

We’re definitely winning 2-0 tonight and drawing France, Denmark and Switzerland.

[Don]

I'm seriously feeding off scraps here to keep me going but let it be known, Scotland are a very handy side and Oscar Bobb and Doku are absolute filth, need to be looking at signing those once they're relegated.

[Waffdon]

This Scotland side isn’t filthy though. Defence and keeper is total reserve players minus Jack Hendry (who needs a back 5 to save him)

Could do with this staying 3-2 and staying in Pot 3.

[Manc]

Halaand injured. Complete bollocks.

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67417862

I've noticed this and good to see my suspicions backed up with numbers, but why does nobody want to blame what is very clearly to blame, which is the uncompromising, unrelenting high press that everyone now plays? The more times a body moves and the faster it moves, the more likely an injury will occur. Seems pretty obvious to me, but the article doesn't really get within a mile of that, and even the least moronic comments below the line are blaming 'too many international breaks' which strikes me as idiotic because that's when the player base at large are playing far less football.

[niko_cee]

Increasing both intensity [pressing] and volume [number of games] surely inevitably leads to this, although to say it is directly linked to the style of play seems a bit misleading. It's not like Manchester United play a pressing game and they have the most injuries.

Guardiola, or his medical/doping team, was years ahead on this, managing player minutes very carefully - hence the creation of fantasy Pep Bingo where you never really know who is going to play for them, particularly early in the season as minutes are being managed to be used later in the season when it comes to the crunch - also hence their propensity to finish very strongly. Obviously this is a resource thing as much as anything, but is maybe getting to the point where everyone is going to have to start thinking about it a lot more [I'm sure they already do].

[Jimmy Floyd]

You're right about resources enabling that, but the other luxury Pep has, that other managers don't have, is almost unconditional job security. If most managers in the league rotate and cost themselves 4-6 points in the autumn they'll be sacked before they have the chance to finish strongly.

And I'm not saying there's a direct correlation in every case, but if you compared muscle and joint injuries this year to say 2013-14 when nobody was pressing so voraciously, I think you'd see a huge difference.

[Waffdon]

All about conditioning and looking after yourself. Mo Salah and Conor Gallagher play more than anybody and run about more than anyone yet have barely had a single injury in their career.

[randomlegend]

All about conditioning and looking after yourself. Mo Salah and Conor Gallagher play more than anybody and run about more than anyone yet have barely had a single injury in their career.

It's not "all about" anything. Conditioning will play some part. Genetics will play a big part. Luck will also play a big part.

[Waffdon]

I think I’m more knowledgeable on the subject over some poncy doctor, mate

[SvN]

Gallagher is a weird one to throw in there, given he's 23 and has only played 40+ games in a season once.

[Waffdon]

He played 47 domestic games in 2019/20, 32 in 2020/21, 39 in 2021/22 and 45 last season. 182 domestic games at 23 plus however many international games. That’s a fair amount for someone never to have been injured.

[randomlegend]

None of them can touch Bruno Fernandes. Plays like 60 games a season and has never missed a club game through injury in his entire career. Missed two internationals and that's it.

6th highest total distance covered (apparently) in the league last season as well.

[Don]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F_AtSayWkAA2QvW?format=jpg&name=medium

Impressed by how good of an indicator of player quality this data seems to be, usually these stats have some proper anomalies but beside poor Hojlund and Jackson being made to look like a respectable human being, it looks a very clean list.

[Don]

None of them can touch Bruno Fernandes. Plays like 60 games a season and has never missed a club game through injury in his entire career. Missed two internationals and that's it.

Trotting about putting in 0.45 combined sprints and tackles a game. Please don't compare the diving POS to King Mo.

[randomlegend]

Trotting about putting in 0.45 combined sprints and tackles a game. Please don't compare the diving POS to King Mo.

He actually runs 40,000 miles per game and tackles each opposing player at least four times. Salah has never run or made a tackle.

[Waffdon]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F_AtSayWkAA2QvW?format=jpg&name=medium

Impressed by how good of an indicator of player quality this data seems to be, usually these stats have some proper anomalies but beside poor Hojlund and Jackson being made to look like a respectable human being, it looks a very clean list.

Jackson is going to beat Rashford’s highest goal tally in the league this year :drool:

[phonics]

Impressed by how good of an indicator of player quality this data seems to be, usually these stats have some proper anomalies but beside poor Hojlund and Jackson being made to look like a respectable human being, it looks a very clean list.

Sample size of it is absolutely useless. Nketiah was bottom, then scored a hatrick vs Sheffield United, went 2nd and is now in the middle.

[niko_cee]

Son continues to have a surreal chance conversion rate, even more so than usual this year.

[SvN]

He played 47 domestic games in 2019/20, 32 in 2020/21, 39 in 2021/22 and 45 last season. 182 domestic games at 23 plus however many international games. That’s a fair amount for someone never to have been injured.

It's also a tiny sample size. Darren Anderton had played 208 domestic games by the time he was 23.

[Adramelch]

"Big chances missed" is exactly the type of statistic people make up when they want to prove a point.

[Spikey M]

Son continues to have a surreal chance conversion rate, even more so than usual this year.

He's probably wasted his career more than Kane did at Spurs. He should have been playing right at the top.

[Don]

Get the GIF of that Maguire incident up, incredible :D

The problem with showing ambition and having players who make forward passes like TAA and Lewis is your CBs are going to be in the wars a bit more and having that occur to Harry Fucking Maguire is going to be sensational if Gazza gets carried away by the public pressure.

[Ben]

That’s not a penalty but probably evens out Maguire being a complete donkey earlier.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Do we have better centre backs? If not, why not?

[Don]

You do but they're black or young so it's a no go.

[Shindig]

Can we not call Conor Coady back?

[niko_cee]

Do we have better centre backs? If not, why not?

Lewis Dunk has been the best English centre half for 5 years plus but has played for the wrong club.

He's also possibly injured at the moment.

Observe Rico Lewis getting capped on the back of a handful of senior appearances, perhaps not undeserved, but not happening if he's playing his trade away from a big club.

[Manc]

England really missed a trick with Ethan Pinnock. Incredibly underrated.

[Shindig]

It's only only problem position in the squad, too. As much as I don't like to dogpile on Maguire, he keeps being the wrong man in the wrong place.

[Lewis]

I had two carpet-fitters round today, and one of them was seriously claiming that, whilst he is obviously not as good a footballer as Harry Maguire, he is a better right-back, because right-back is a 'specialist position' that he plays every week. His mate was just cracking on embarrassed.

[niko_cee]

Looked like that would be coming back under VAR.

Oh, they have VAR.

[niko_cee]

How is this taking so long?

[SincereTheRebel]

All goalkeepers should be in black boots and short sleeves.

[Ben]

Everyone should be in black boots, unless you're on Messi's level. Keepers should always be long sleeves, but that might be my cricket head talking.

[niko_cee]

Is the local director refusing to show a replay of anything stymieing the VAR process?

Why are this lot shithousing so hard? Does this mean something to them?

[Ben]

Even with the attacking midfield three of Saka, Philfoden and Grealish, the lack of Bellingham is apparent.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

All goalkeepers should be in black boots and short sleeves.

Keepers should have mental multi-coloured shirts.

[Shindig]

I recently found out Jorge Campos designed his own. :cool:

[Spikey M]

This has been a genuine ordeal to watch. Terrible performance. Terrible referee. Terrible.

[SvN]

I can't believe there are so many England fabs. What sort of person has decided to fly over and watch this?

[niko_cee]

Even with the attacking midfield three of Saka, Philfoden and Grealish, the lack of Bellingham is apparent.

Yeah, and whilst his return might make everything alright, I'm not really convinced Alexander-Arnold really knows what he's doing sufficiently well to be playing central midfield in international football.

That freekick. :D

[Waffdon]

That looked like a stonewall penalty Ukraine didn’t get in the 94th minute.

[niko_cee]

I know it's a modern obsession/mark of status to have one of these things, but I can't imagine a less interesting documentary than 'Rooney'.

[Jimmy Floyd]

San Marino have scored three games in a row now. Must have finally given Indoctrin the job.

[Shindig]

I know it's a modern obsession/mark of status to have one of these things, but I can't imagine a less interesting documentary than 'Rooney'.

"So, Wayne. Tell us about your wife's court case ...." <interest picks up>

[Spikey M]

The only interesting bit would be the granny shagging, but they'll skip over that like Netflix did with Beckhams affair.

[Manc]

This has been a genuine ordeal to watch. Terrible performance. Terrible referee. Terrible.

I think the only time I've genuinely enjoyed watching England in recent history was that nation league spell we had two years ago.

[Lofty]

The only interesting bit would be the granny shagging, but they'll skip over that like Netflix did with Beckhams affair.

He got dragged over the coals for the one in the car in the Wagatha documentary which was amusing.

[John Arne]

England really missed a trick with Ethan Pinnock. Incredibly underrated.

This. Great player.

[phonics]

Saw Gareth saying. ‘We played well, controlled the game’ then saw the result after. Very funny.

[Giggles]

The Stephen Kenny Era (TM) ends tonight. Might be the only thing making this shit worth watching.

39 games, wins against Andorra, Qatar (x2), Azerbaijan, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Scotland, Armenia, Malta, Latvia, and Gibraltar (x2). Heady days.

[Waffdon]

Your squad is abhorrent so I’m not sure what you’re expecting

[Jimmy Floyd]

When you have a shite squad you need the type of manager to make the best of it. Philosophical short passing merchants are not that.

[Giggles]

Your squad is abhorrent so I’m not sure what you’re expecting

Full of championship players, which is in the strongest 7 or 8 leagues in Europe, so there's not a doubt he should have done better with them. Under no illusions about qualifications or anything but there's no way they shouldn't be in contention for 3rd in the latter stages of groups.

Whether they can afford anyone decent is another matter, they're broke and have another head man on the take.

[phonics]

It's one of the reasons I like Second Captains. I enjoy the stories from this dismal team.

[Waffdon]

Full of championship players, which is in the strongest 7 or 8 leagues in Europe, so there's not a doubt he should have done better with them. Under no illusions about qualifications or anything but there's no way they shouldn't be in contention for 3rd in the latter stages of groups.

Whether they can afford anyone decent is another matter, they're broke and have another head man on the take.

Jamie McGrath gets game time so that’s enough for me.

[niko_cee]

Newcastle being free to loan players from PIF owned Saudi teams is a bit :cab:

I wonder who voted for that to be allowed. How many other teams have other clubs they own? City, Chelsea, Brighton, United now Sir Jim is IN CHARGE?

[Waffdon]

Crystal Palace and Lyon as well

[Giggles]

I was wondering how Jake O'Brien ended up there. Never knew of the link.

[Giggles]

Jamie McGrath gets game time so that’s enough for me.

Hence the need for his era to end. Shouldn't be anywhere near the side.

[Waffdon]

Newcastle being free to loan players from PIF owned Saudi teams is a bit :cab:

I wonder who voted for that to be allowed. How many other teams have other clubs they own? City, Chelsea, Brighton, United now Sir Jim is IN CHARGE?

Chelsea, Newcastle, Sheff Utd, Man City, Everton, Wolves and Forest were the teams.

[Shindig]

Aye, City is those filthy Qataris. Also do Italian sides still have daft player ownership stuff?

[Ben]

Chelsea, Newcastle, Sheff Utd, Man City, Everton, Wolves and Forest were the teams.

Who are Sheff Utd, Everton and Forest affiliated with?

[Spikey M]

Northern cunts?

[niko_cee]

They're strongly affiliated with handouts.

Actually, aren't Sheffield United owned by a Saudi? Not so sure what Iran Moshiri is doing but maybe they just had other things on their mind. I wouldn't put it past Everton to do it based on it being potentially harmful to their neighbours. The bitter runs deep.

[Shindig]

Sheffield United have a Saudi Prince Chairman. Everton has an Iranian Chairman. I can see how those two would vote for it but I'm not entirely sure about the Greek bloke that owns Forest. Probably has some Saudi business connections.

[SincereTheRebel]

Those blonde haired mixed grills vs some tattooed nazis tonight.

[Giggles]

New Zealand look like fucking Brazil :face:

[Waffdon]

Everton owners (or soon to be ones) own loads of clubs so then voting against makes sense

[Waffdon]

Pot 1: Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, England, Belgium

Pot 2: Hungary, Turkey, Romania, Denmark, Albania, Austria

Pot 3: Netherlands, Scotland, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic

Pot 4: Italy, Serbia, Switzerland, 3 Play-off winners

My body is ready for France, Denmark, Scotland, Italy

[Yevrah]

Turkey, Netherlands and Italy please.

If we draw Scotland again I'll consider skipping the game.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It would be fitting if Germany could draw Austria, Czech Republic and Poland, and play them in that order.

[Don]

If you're awake, get on this Brazil-Argentina game. Match delayed by 20 mins because of fighting in the stands and it seems the players have been fully inspired. Proper full frontal favelary.

[John Arne]

Emi Martinez once again proving to be one of the thickest players out there.

[Don]

No one really doing anything of note with the ball but that was one of the finest halves of entertainment you're likely to see. International breaks are literally only about the South Americans, no jeopardy and they still deliver.

[John Arne]

1727181708896731404

[Baz]

Turkey, Netherlands and Italy please.

If we draw Scotland again I'll consider skipping the game.
Why does it seem to be Türkiye everywhere nowadays?

[John Arne]

They pulled a Czechia and asked other countries to spell their name they way they want it, and for some reason, many are doing so.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm guessing this is the worst Brazil team since the war.

[John Arne]

I'm guessing this is the worst Brazil team since the war.

It doesn't look good when Joelinton and Emerson Royal are starting for you. Even Martinelli and Jesus... both decent players, but would you want them starting a qualifier against your biggest rivals?

https://gyazo.com/1f658ee9c8dd426bed9e1f5c88bdcb67.jpeg

[Giggles]

They pulled a Czechia and asked other countries to spell their name they way they want it, and for some reason, many are doing so.

Not sure why anyone is bothering when nobody listened to Czechia.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I also notice, re Brazil, that they haven't appointed a manager since the World Cup. Did I hear they were just chilling waiting for Ancelotti to become available, or have I imagined it?

Either way, nice to get themselves into a qualifying race before that happens.

[John Arne]

I also notice, re Brazil, that they haven't appointed a manager since the World Cup. Did I hear they were just chilling waiting for Ancelotti to become available, or have I imagined it?

Either way, nice to get themselves into a qualifying race before that happens.

To be fair, something like 9 of 12 teams qualify... it's almost more difficult not to qualify.

[Manc]

England U17s knocked out of the World Cup by Uzbekistan. Football heritage.

[niko_cee]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67486563

:cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sutton v Horsham, pretty good game of club cricket, not sure about football.

[niko_cee]

Just realised Jofra Archer has turned out for Horsham.

Not the football team.

And David Hussey. Tim May!

:eek:

[Don]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/nov/22/howard-webb-var-advice-penalties-referees-premier-league

This should lead to tremendous improvements and absolutely no risk of blatant penalties for little touches on players sprinting at full speed being missed, none whatsoever.

[Lewis]

Speaking of things leading to tremendous improvements: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/nov/22/ai-football-expert-hope-sogni-fifa-infantino

[Don]

1727315641747886161

:cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Obviously. Playing a short pass to a team-mate at any given moment is more effective in terms of near-future percentage arrays than a longer, riskier ball. That's why goal kicks go short and corners go short, because people have worked this out. The detractors, me included, don't doubt the efficacy. They respond emotionally because it's so fucking boring to watch and within 3 years will have resulted in every side in football adopting the same strategy and tactics.

[phonics]

Fat chance. My season ticket at West Brom holding Dad has blamed every goal they've conceded and every goal they havent scored on short goal kicks.

[John Arne]

Not football, but this is cringey as hell. The normally excellent Coach Pop... in the middle of a game telling his fans to stop booing the opposition :D Soft as shit.

1727511067088011482

[Jimmy Floyd]

Jonny Liew having a massive and completely unnecessary pop at 'Ange' on Football Weekly was funny shit. I like Liew's writing but he fucking loves giving it to apparently nice people for no reason.

[Ian]

Really? What's his issue with him?

[Jimmy Floyd]

1727775468311515597

I laughed hard tbf but also disagree with him.

[Waffdon]

He’s not wrong. The mask slipped a few times at Celtic. He is probably a sound bloke overall but definitely a bit of a fake persona

[Ian]

I see the Celtic fan in the comments saying "The fight back starts now! As a part Celtic fan I must admit I loved him, but there is a line he crossed that he can never scramble back over"

Is that line having the temerity to want better than Celtic?

Liew's properly got a bee in his bonnet there though, I wonder if he's actually met him and has some reason he can't say to think he's a cunt or if it's just one of those irrational ones.

[Spikey M]

I like his football, but +1 for "Big Ange" being a massive cringelord. I can't watch his press interviews.

[Shindig]

Rodgers and Ange probably invite each other round for dinner.

[Manc]

Leeds playing some proper filth under Farke.

[Lewis]

Every Australian rugby figure - with the exception of Eddie Jones, which is why all of the others hate him - is like 'Ange'. I bet he says 'culture' forty times a day and describes himself as 'Just a bloke from...', as if he had no part in his success.

[Gray Fox]

Away at City in the 12:30 after an international break, with Alexis playing as the 6 again. What could possibly go wrong?

[Waffdon]

Hopefully everything.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, pretty sure early kick off at the murder bowl is the worst time to be there. I'm sure most of the worst results have come in that slot. Not even sufficient time to properly brick the bus or anything.

[Waffdon]

Liverpool have better attackers than Chelsea (and just about a quicker defence) so they really should follow that game plan. Salah and Nunez running in behind should score a few if they do.

5-3 City

[Don]

Doku :brownpants:

Their bench is dead though so hopefully a couple of attacking injuries.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Doku is good news for you, Salah will have the freedom of that side. Grealish a huge miss for them.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Do manchstaciteh fans always boo the PL anthem? I mean I'd boo the PL just for having an anthem, but lol at the entitlement.

[Gray Fox]

The nasty premier league are trying tell them off for such insignificant things as breaking rules 115 times, the scumbags. Boo indeed.

[phonics]

Do manchstaciteh fans always boo the PL anthem? I mean I'd boo the PL just for having an anthem, but lol at the entitlement.

https://www.legalcheek.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fox9WeUXoAY-4cd.jpeg

[Gray Fox]

Doku against Trent is something I could do without 90 minutes of.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I spoke to my mate who works for a Prem club last week, and he reckons, based on his INSIDER info, that City are heading to League Two/the National League once those charges come in. I'll believe that when I see it but it was an interesting take.

[John Arne]

Silva is a snidey little twat. Whenever the ball is is on the air, he charges into the man, not even going for the ball.

[Luke Emia]

If we are in it with 25 minutes to go the benches could make all the difference.

[Gray Fox]

Some of the football these two bring out of each other is outstanding and also completely stupid.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's the game then.

[Gray Fox]

Live by the sword, die by the sword.

[Waffdon]

Allison is so good but he’s always got a random cock up in him.

Look at the space Van Dijk leaves. Too scared to lose his ‘dribble past’ statistic

[Luke Emia]

That’s fucking horrendous from Alexander-Arnold. I feel like I stick up for him a lot but that’s where he lets himself down he just has to have Ake down there.

[Manc]

City pummeling a title rival would be great for the corruption narrative.

[Luke Emia]

Allison is so good but he’s always got a random cock up in him.

Look at the space Van Dijk leaves. Too scared to lose his ‘dribble past’ statistic

That’s all on Trent should never even have gotten to where it did.

[Gray Fox]

Getting breezed past by Nathan Ake of all of their players.

[Waffdon]

I see ‘Pep’ has already worked his magic in training Doku’s dribbling ability out of him.

[Manc]

Jota & Jones offering absoutley nothing.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Doku is a mong there, why would you not pass to Haaland?

[Boydy]

Why the fuck is Jones even playing in this game?

[Gray Fox]

Jones is probably the one that would give most support to Alexis defensively. He's been out for many weeks though so this was some gamble.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Very strange and not particularly good game. Both sides seem incredibly reluctant to pull the trigger in front of goal.

[John Arne]

Jota, Jones and Nunez off for Gapko, Diaz and Gravenberch.

[Don]

Fine margins as ever, so fucking nerve-wracking watching when there's this much quality to every attack. Get the ketwig cunt off and we got this. Some of the one-touch passing in the midfield does make me lol at the idea of us making do with Hendo for all that time.

[Waffdon]

Jota is one of the most average players you’ll see. He’s not very good at anything. Shouldn’t be near the team against competent teams.

[Don]

Nonsense, dribbling, finishing and heading all elite and a great worker. He's a superior Alvarez.

[Baz]

Gravenberch should start every game

[Jimmy Floyd]

Liverpool have been fine, just had their attacks killed by that lumbering carthorse each time. Szoboszlai a great player.

[Gray Fox]

Yeah as an away day at City goes this as good as you can ask for really. Just one sloppy mistake was punished.
Not so much Trent into midfield in this one.

[Manc]

Salah running through mud.

[Gray Fox]

Neville did mention the pitch is slowing the ball down a lot today, which is probably affecting the pace of the game a lot.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is there some kind of light aircraft buzzing around above the ground? Sounds odd.

[Gray Fox]

Is there some kind of light aircraft buzzing around above the ground? Sounds odd.

Probably one carrying a message. They don't tend to give them screen time now though.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I think VAR will take that away.

[Waffdon]

They’ll give it as a foul. Pathetic though.

[Ben]

How's that a foul? :D

[Waffdon]

I think VAR will take that away.

Red didn’t give it. VAR would have definitely allowed it if the ref did.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Alexis should have been booked there.

[Gray Fox]

A lively last 10 mins ahead.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Great goal. Shooting is underrated.

[Waffdon]

That’s what happens when you actually have a shot at goal.

[Don]

I missed the goal as I was too busy assessing his defensive frailties. You don't want that from your RB.

[Gray Fox]

I do not like this sub at all.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Bernardo Silva is such a little rat. You could see him and Bruno Fernandes together on a two-week groping holiday.

[Waffdon]

Foden is another player that’s had all his flair and excitement drained out of him. He just looks meh these days.

[Boydy]

Alisson needs to learn to just put his left foot through it.

[Manc]

Nunez offering Pep out. :drool:

[Gray Fox]

Let Darwin at the cheating cunt.

[Waffdon]

I know Man City usually start slow but the fact they’ve lost twice and drawn twice already and at worst 1 point off top at the end of the day is hilarious. Everyone just a bit meh. Arsenal and Liverpool have looked a bit shit in so many matches as well.

[Don]

Was worried when the malnourished favela rat had to come in but job done. Darwin :drool:

[John Arne]

Guardiola is gonna turn Doku into such a boring player. He should have had the ball on every Citeh attack.

[Spoonsky]

Pleasing result. City are better than us but not much much better.

Live for a sassy Trent celebration when he’s cocked up earlier in the game. Shhhhh.

[Ben]

Doku is brilliant to watch until he actually has to kick the ball.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Doku is brilliant to watch until he actually has to kick the ball.

I don't think he ever did have a strike at goal did he? Just flew down the wing past five men and then cut it back every single time. One-dimensional football.

[Luke Emia]

That’s fucking horrendous from Alexander-Arnold. I feel like I stick up for him a lot but that’s where he lets himself down he just has to have Ake down there.

On the other side I suppose you don’t get that goal from Wan Bissaka

[Waffdon]

Sterling has just scored an absolute pinger of a free kick. Didn’t think he was capable of kicking a ball hard :D

[Dark Soldier]

Nice to see Sterling's hairline having a touch of the Gervinho

[Ben]

Jackson being his usual self in the celebrations as well. :D

[Don]

Fati and Lamptey with muscle tears. Brighton are fucked but it ain't half self-inflicted relying on these softies.

[Ben]

Lamptey is made out of tracing paper.

[Waffdon]

Chelsea’s midfield balance is a mess without caicedo. Getting absolutely ran through, doesn’t help Gallagher is playing some sort of right mid/wing hybrid.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Birmingham's form since appointing Rooney: LLLDL and now currently 1-1 at home to bottom side Sheff Wed. Another masterstroke from Garry Cook.

[SincereTheRebel]

I don't think he ever did have a strike at goal did he? Just flew down the wing past five men and then cut it back every single time. One-dimensional football.

Add him to the list with Adama and Saint-Maxim

[Waffdon]

Silva has been at fault for a goal in literally every game Chelsea have conceded. An utter travesty that he starts every week.

39 year olds don’t play for a reason.

[Gray Fox]

Give me more Reece James and Trent comparisons.

[Don]

Dunk losing his head too. Glorious scenes.

[Gray Fox]

That one will crush Burnley. Kompany thinks they've done well at least...

[Ben]

This TNT commentator (Darren Fletcher?) is a right arsehole.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Fascinating stuff at their corners, both of the first two Trossard has just refused to kick it because all the short options were marked. Add in a backwards goal kick nearly leading to a goal, and modern football is breaking under the strain.

[niko_cee]

Is there some kind of light aircraft buzzing around above the ground? Sounds odd.


Probably one carrying a message. They don't tend to give them screen time now though.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67521024

:D

Hence why they didn't show it.

[Manc]

Imagine chipping in for one of them.

[niko_cee]

You definitely know you're "100% innocent" when Amnesty International are flying banners over your games.

[Lofty]

Super sub Kai :cool:

[niko_cee]

Reece James hitpiece on MotD.

:drool:

Someone needs to Roy Keane Gordon though, such a horrible, cheating little rat. Thought the ref in that game was pretty poor.

They must be having a laugh with this running order. Are Brighton going to be in the graveyard slot again despite being involved in an absolute thriller?

[niko_cee]

What a weird seethe by Steve Cooper.

[Giggles]

Read the comments here. Glad to see Liverpool lost 4-0 again.

[John Arne]

Greenwood with a screamer for Getafe last night.

I'm gonna join with Man Utd fans and say, all is forgiven, get him on the plane.

[Danny]

To Rwanda?

[Don]

Ange has gone a bit mad.

[Ben]

This Spurs lineup is a bit of a laugh but it’s the first time I’ve seen Villa this season, is Cash right midfield and McGinn left midfield in a 4-4-2 their usual?

I’m Emery’s number #1 fan if he’s committed to re-popularising the 4-4-2.